benedi benedict, they came to hear him. i think that will be his legacy. >> reporter: when the pope resigns at the end of the month, he'll continue to live the rest of his life at the vatican. some time in march the cardinals will gather to choose his successor. reporting live here in san jose, bob redell, nbc bay area news. >>> in the meantime, archbishop salvatore cordileone just announced this statement, quote, on behalf of the priests, religious and lay faithful of the archdiocese of san francisco, i express our deep gratitude to pope benedict xvi for his lifetime of tireless and self-ness service to the church. may god bless him and may god guide the college of cardinals as they choose his successor. >> on that subject, with the surprising resignation announcement coming today, vatican outsiders say they believe cardinal from ghana. is a spokesman for the church's social conscience. terkson would become the first black pope. also on the list of replacements mark uelett of the vatican who is head of the congregation of